Note 315 — No. 101. [Steele and Addison.[314]
Reading edition
This paper seems to have been occasioned by a pirated edition of the Tatler which came out just at this time. The following advertisement concerning it, was subjoined to the next paper in the original edition of the Tatler in folio, and often repeated in the subsequent numbers:
"Whereas I am informed, that there is a spurious and very incorrect edition of these papers printed in a small volume; these are to give notice, that there is in the press, and will speedily be published, a very neat edition, fitted for the pocket, on extraordinary good paper, a new brevier letter, like the Elzevir editions, and adorned with several cuts by the best artists. To which is added a preface, index, and many notes, for the better explanation of these lucubrations, by the author, who has revised, amended, and made many additions to the whole. N. B.—Notice shall be given in this paper, when I conclude my first volume." (No. 102, Advertisement.)
This spurious edition was sold by Hills. It was thus advertised in the Post Boy, by A. Boyer, 1st to 3rd December 1709: "This day is published one hundred Tatlers, by Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., on a fine paper, in a neat pocket volume. Price, bound, 4s., which is less than half the price of a set in folio. Sold by H. Hills, in Blackfriars, near the Water-side."